PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Members of Philadelphia’s Muslim community are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of criminals who are dressing as Muslim women to carry out the crimes. The reward was announced Tuesday at City Hall.

Local Muslim leaders don’t know if the crimes are related, but they are now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to arrests.

“They put our women in danger of being of being stereotyped, victimized and ostracized by society,” said Iman Isa Abdul Mateen, who is with the Majlis Ash’shura of Philadelphia. “Such cowardly, repugnant criminals are a plague upon Philadelphia.”

“For cowards to dress up as women and perpetrate a crime is absolutely wrong,” added 4th District Councilman Curtis Jones.

District Attorney Seth Williams is asking people to step forward.

“Give us information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the cowards that dress as women in garb in a way that helps them commit their evil crimes,” said Williams.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Majlis Ash’shura at 215-474-0726.